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People from the Ukrainian community prepare to march along Summer Street for the Cherry Blossom Carnival.

Photo courtesy Wasyl and Rosalia Borschtsch


Migrants brought a new depth of culture to Orange. Through music, dance and song they enriched their lives and those of Australians. Talented newcomers, from folk dancers to opera singers, found music the perfect medium through which to engage with local people.




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Bloomfield Theatrical Society's production of 'The Student Prince'. A number of migrants were involved on and off stage with the society's productions.

Photo courtesy Les and Dot Warburton



One of the most successful initiatives was the Bloomfield Theatrical Society which, using the talents of migrants and Australians, entertained locals for years with regular musicals and light opera. Leading lights among the migrants, such as Danny Broz, Karl Domin and Lou Rochelli, delighted audiences with their shows.

There were also a number of classical musicians among the migrants who were welcomed into local musical circles, notably Frank and Hilde Center and their sons Steve and Bob.



 


Ferdi Boers brought his clarinet with him when he came to Australia from Holland in 1949...
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Some groups, such as the Dutch, Ukrainians, Hungarians and Greeks, formed their own community organisations, sometimes centred around their churches.